December 05, 2013

"Redskins" protesters hurt Native artists?!

We get e-mail:Thanks to the protests over Redskins, Americans have become so sensitive about offending Natives that they are afraid of wearing Native jewelry and buying Native art pieces. Because they don't want to offend Natives who protest redskins and other forms or “appropriations”. Which is really hurting Native artisans who make such jewelry and Native art. We are unable to feed our families in these difficult times. So Redskin protestors, thank you for hurting poor Native artisans.This same e-mail went to everyone on a mailing list, I think. I shared it with my Facebook friends and asked, "Anybody seen a single iota of evidence of this happening?" Some responses: I have a couple of Friends who have no Native Blood ask me if I thought it was OK for them to purchase and wear Native Jewelry..I always said yes but please make sure You buy from Native sellers and I gave them names and information to do that. They wanted to be Respectful...

This white chick has asked similar questions in the past. I've bought and worn (authentic) stuff that made me look like a stupid wannabee in the past, too. I hope I don't do it again. (I feel less ignernt now, but how would I know?)

Too much of "native" jewelry is fake--that might hove more to do with loss of sales than the name controversy--people don't want cheap Chinese rip offs and don't know or don't care to try to tell the difference--wth--can't win for losin'.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HUMANS TODAY? Too many are on mind altering prescription drugs given by their physicians.

This is the first time I've heard of anything like this. I doubt it is true.

I have a hard time believing that claim.

Seriously? The massive artistry of conniving consumerism, it's a shame that this person who wrote this only see a missing dollar in their pocket, rather than shame placed upon his/her people for generations to come... smh!More sensitivity is good. But if people are asking about wearing Native jewelry, wouldn't that be a response to Urban Outfitters, Paul Frank, Victoria's Secret, and related controversies?

These controversies have been in the news, and they deal directly with jewelry and other fashion items. Where's the link to the "Redskins" controversy, and how exactly would that work?

Some Indians are protesting a racial slur, so non-Indians can't wear Native jewelry? Can you say "non sequitur"?

The writer signed himself as "Richard Afraid Of Bear." Does anyone know him?

People have heard about dozens of headdress controversies, so they're growing leery of fake headdresses and costumes. I suppose genuine Native fashions could have suffered slightly as a side result.

If this is what's happening, it sounds good. People will exercise proper caution about dressing up as Indians. Genuine Native fashions will bounce back, if they need to, as people learn to distinguish the real from the fake.

And again, this has nothing whatsoever to do with the "Redskins" nickname. It's a complete fabrication as far as I can tell. You might as well say, "Indians are protesting the Keystone XL pipeline, so the white man is retaliating by not buying Native jewelry."

Oh, he does say "...and other forms of appropriations." In other words, the alleged loss of income may be related to anything besides the "Redskins" controversy. But it's more marketable to tag it with "Redskins" than to come up with an actual link between "appropriation" and reduced sales.

Such a transparent rhetorical trick.

Hey, the Indians protested Wounded Knee too. Maybe that has something to do with the alleged loss of sales. If we're making up fictional arguments, it could be anything!

FYI, the "Redskins" issue isn't about appropriating a name or image FROM Indians. It's about applying an unwanted name and image TO Indians. So talking about "Redskins and other forms of appropriations" as if it's one indivisible issue is sadly, stupidly wrong.

Buying art = appropriation?!

Jewelry I can sort of see, if I stretch, but "art pieces"? So people aren't buying Native paintings or sculptures because protesters are accusing them of "appropriation"? And customers are announcing their reasons for not buying within earshot of people like "Afraid of Bear"? Like, "I want to buy that painting, but I'm afraid my guests will see it hanging in my house and call me a hatemonger"? Because giving money to Native artists is exactly like buying Redskins tickets from Dan Snyder?

Or what, exactly? I can't begin to fathom this clown's arguments.

I'm guessing Afraid of Bear heard one artist complain about lost sales...ignored other explanations such as the recession...and concocted his whole "it's the protesters' fault" fantasy.